Placement of Steel in Reinforced Cement Concrete Pavements

Reinforced cement concrete pavements are commonly used in the construction of roads, highways, and other transportation infrastructure. The main purpose of reinforcing the concrete with steel is to enhance its strength and structural integrity. Steel reinforcement is placed strategically within the concrete to resist tensile forces, prevent cracking, and increase durability. In reinforced cement concrete pavements, the steel is typically placed in the middle of the pavement.

Reasons for Placing Steel in the Middle

There are several reasons why steel reinforcement is placed in the middle of the pavement:

1. Neutral Axis: The neutral axis is the location within a reinforced concrete section where the strain is zero. Placing the steel reinforcement in the middle of the pavement ensures that it is located at or near the neutral axis. This positioning allows the steel to efficiently resist tensile stresses and prevent cracking in the concrete.

2. Bending Moment: In reinforced concrete pavements, the majority of the bending moment is located in the middle of the pavement. By placing the steel reinforcement in the middle, it directly counteracts the bending moment and increases the overall strength and load-carrying capacity of the pavement.

3. Shear Strength: Steel reinforcement also enhances the shear strength of reinforced concrete pavements. Placing the steel in the middle helps distribute the shear forces evenly across the pavement, reducing the chances of shear failure.

4. Uniform Load Distribution: Placing the steel reinforcement in the middle of the pavement helps distribute the load uniformly, ensuring that the pavement can support heavy traffic loads without excessive deflection or deformation.

Conclusion

In reinforced cement concrete pavements, steel reinforcement is placed in the middle of the pavement to optimize its performance and structural integrity. This placement allows the steel to efficiently resist tensile forces, prevent cracking, counteract bending moments, enhance shear strength, and ensure uniform load distribution. By strategically positioning the steel reinforcement, reinforced concrete pavements can withstand heavy traffic loads and provide long-lasting durability.